This time of year, we pay closer attention to the weather in Florida. Of course, we are known for sunny days and balmy breezes, but we also get a few rainy, windy days that can create havoc if we are not prepared for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. I asked Claude to put together a checklist to help our residents prepare for and weather the storm.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST

For Residents of

Management contact: Phone: / Email: Association email:

This checklist covers what to do before, during, and after a major storm, including the timeline for clearing balcony items and how to prepare for possible loss of electricity and water. Follow any additional instructions issued by the Board or property management, which take precedence over this general guide.

1. Start of Hurricane Season (By June 1)

• Confirm your emergency contact information is current with the front desk/management office.
• Designate a local emergency contact and, if you are a seasonal/absentee owner, a local proxy who can access your unit.
• Review the association’s hurricane policy for shutter/impact-glass requirements, balcony rules, vehicle relocation, and elevator shutdown procedures.
• Test flashlights, battery-powered radios, and check batteries on hand.
• Locate your unit’s water shut-off valve and the building’s main shut-off location.
• If you use electricity-dependent medical equipment, register with your utility’s priority reconnection program and talk to your provider about a backup plan.
• Stock a base level of hurricane supplies (see Emergency Kit, Section 7) so you are not shopping during the last 48 hours.
• Photograph or video your unit’s contents and balcony for insurance records.

2. Hurricane Watch Issued (~48–36 Hours Before Landfall)

A Watch means hurricane conditions are possible in the area — this is your cue to begin active preparation, not to wait.

• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and withdraw some cash.
• Fill prescriptions and gather at least a 7–10-day supply of medications.
• Charge all phones, laptops, and battery packs to 100%.
• Fill water containers/bathtub and freeze extra water in jugs (doubles as ice and drinking water later).
• Begin securing loose items on your balcony — stack, tie down, or bring in anything not essential.
• Review your building’s evacuation zone status and decide whether you will stay or evacuate.
• Back up important documents (insurance, ID, medical records) digitally or in a waterproof folder.

3. Hurricane Warning Issued (~36–24 Hours Before Landfall)

A Warning means hurricane conditions are expected — this is the deadline window most Florida condo associations use for mandatory balcony clearance.

BALCONY CLEARANCE DEADLINE: All items must be removed from balconies no later than 24 hours before anticipated landfall (sooner if your Board sets an earlier deadline). Anything left outside can become a projectile in high wind and may cause damage or injury to other units and residents below.

Remove and bring inside:

• Balcony/patio furniture, cushions, and rugs
• Potted plants and planters
• Grills, propane tanks, and charcoal
• Bicycles, storage bins, and coolers
• Wind chimes, decorations, flags, and string lights
• Umbrellas and their stands
• Trash and recycling receptacles
• Any loose hardware, tools, or hurricane shutters storage not permanently mounted

Also complete during this window:

• Install or close hurricane shutters/impact panels per building policy.
• Remove or secure any hanging items inside near windows/sliding doors.
• Move vehicles to the designated garage level or off-site per building instructions.
• Confirm your unit door and windows are fully sealed; place towels at door thresholds.
• Unplug non-essential appliances and electronics to protect against power surges.
• Set refrigerator/freezer to coldest setting to extend food safety during an outage.

4. Final Hours Before Landfall

• Bring in pets, food/water bowls, and litter boxes.
• Fill bathtubs and large containers with water for flushing and cleaning (not drinking).
• Charge medical devices and mobility equipment fully.
• Move to an interior room away from windows and sliding glass doors if sheltering in place.
• Elevators will typically be shut down before the storm — confirm you can reach your unit by stairs if needed and plan accordingly if you have mobility limitations.
• Notify your local contact or a neighbor of your plan to stay or evacuate.
• Keep your emergency kit, flashlight, phone, and shoes within reach.

5. During the Storm

• Stay away from windows, sliding doors, and balconies at all times.
• Do not use elevators.
• Stay in your interior safe room/hallway; avoid unnecessary movement through common areas.
• Monitor weather updates via battery-powered or hand-crank radio if power is lost.
• If you smell gas, hear structural damage, or see flooding, notify building staff/emergency services and follow their instructions — do not investigate alone.
• Do not go out onto balconies or roof areas during a lull or eye of the storm — conditions can return suddenly.

6. After the Storm — If You Lose Electricity

• Assume all downed wires are live — stay away and report them to management/utility immediately.
• Use flashlights, not candles, to reduce fire risk.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible; a full freezer holds temperature about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24.
• Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors, in a garage, or on a balcony — carbon monoxide risk. Follow your building’s rules on generator use, which may be restricted or prohibited entirely in a condo setting.
• Conserve phone batteries; use power banks and, if available, communal charging stations set up by management.
• Expect elevators to remain offline until building engineers confirm it is safe — plan for stair access, especially for medication, mobility, or medical equipment needs.
• Check on elderly or disabled neighbors, especially those on higher floors.
• Report outages to your utility and to building management so repairs can be tracked at both the unit and building level.

7. After the Storm — If You Lose Water or Water Pressure

High floors lose water pressure first if building pumps lose power — stored water becomes essential above the lower floors.

• Use stored/bottled water for drinking and cooking; use tub/container water for flushing toilets and cleaning.
• Do not drink tap water if a boil-water notice is issued for your area, even if water is running.
• If water is discolored, let it run briefly once pressure is restored before using it for drinking, or boil it first.
• Limit non-essential water use so building reserves and any operating pumps last longer for all residents.
• Report any leaks, burst pipes, or lack of water in common areas to management right away.
• Have water purification tablets or a portable filter as backup for extended outages.

8. High-Rise / Building-Specific Reminders

• Elevators are typically the first system shut down before a storm and the last restored after — plan for multiple flights of stairs.
• Stairwells may be dark; keep a flashlight or headlamp accessible near your door.
• Fire/life-safety systems may run on backup power with limited capacity — follow any building alerts about system status.
• Trash chutes may be closed before and after the storm; hold trash in your unit until management reopens them.
• Common areas (lobby, gym, pool deck) may be closed for safety inspections after the storm — do not enter roped-off areas.
• If your building loses water pressure on upper floors, coordinate with neighbors and management on interim solutions (e.g., water distribution points).

9. Emergency Kit Checklist

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day, minimum 3-day supply (7–10 days recommended)
• Non-perishable food for at least 3–10 days, plus a manual can opener
• Flashlights and extra batteries (avoid candles)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Fully charged phone, portable power bank(s)
• 7–10-day supply of prescription medications and basic first-aid kit
• Copies of ID, insurance, and medical documents (physical and digital, waterproofed)
• Cash in small bills
• Sturdy shoes and work gloves for post-storm cleanup
• Water purification tablets or portable filter
• Pet supplies: food, water, medications, carriers, and ID tags
• Whistle to signal for help if trapped
• Basic tools and heavy-duty trash bags

This checklist is general guidance and does not replace instructions from the Association Board, property management, or local emergency officials. Always follow official evacuation orders and building-specific directives.